About thirty years ago my father recorded to tape the following talks with various family members. They are presented here uncut as examples of twentieth-century lives in their own words, in their own accents, and for the texture of the recordings.

Louise (1925-1999) [64kbps MP3] talks about her parents, childhood in east L.A., the Great Depression, high school and war years in San Diego, entry into the foreign service, deployment to Japan, clerk work and anti-communism during its occupation, early hepatitis treatment, men she dated, deployment to Budapest, diplomatic service "behind the iron curtain," meeting and sitting for Zsigmond Strobl, the occupation of Vienna, meeting her husband, marriage in London during the rationing years, return to L.A., and various other anecdotes. [1:11:55]

Ned (1915-2019) [64kbps MP3] talks about her parents' emigration from Russia, childhood and family in New Jersey, a house fire, homemade liquor, various dogs, worrying her mother, breaking her favorite doll, hiding under the table, playing hooky, work during the war, running away to Miami, men she dated, meeting her husband at a dance, travel, margarine, various jobs, and various other anecdotes. [1:14:44]

Arthur (1930-2009) [64kbps MP3] talks about his parents, prospects, business, astrology, childhood and family in New Jersey, going to college, and various other anecdotes. Includes background noise from a late twentieth-century restaurant. [20:08]

Jack (1908-1997) [64kbps MP3] talks about his parents' emigration from Jassy, childhood and mischief in (what is now) downtown L.A., visiting the beach and Pasadena by horse and buggy, early automobiles, home life during the first world war, studying bookkeeping in high school, learning to dance, early jobs, the Great Depression, working in the desert near a railroad, the produce trade, stocks, marriages, working for film studios, working for the post office, siblings, shyness, and various other anecdotes. [39:59]

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